03-22406. Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-21), this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before October 3, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Records Management Service (005E3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone], FAX [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0034.”

Send comments and recommendations concerning any aspect of the information collection to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, [phone]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0034” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Trainee Request for Leave—Chapter 31, Title 38, U.S.C., VA Form 28-1905h.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0034.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 28-1905h is used to request leave and to provide the necessary information to determine whether to approve a trainee request for leave from Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program. A trainer or authorized school official must verify on the form the effect the absence will have on the veteran's progress in the program. Upon approval, the veteran can receive subsistence allowance and other program services during the leave period as if he or she were attending training. Disapproval of the request may result in loss of subsistence allowance for the leave period. Failure to collect the information would create the potential for substantial abuse through receipt of benefits for unauthorized absences.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on June 3, 2003, at page 33226.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 7,500 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.

Dated: August 21, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.